Remote control circuit changer



'A ril 9, 1935. F. H. RICHTERKESSING REMOTE CONTROL CIRCUIT CHANGER Filed Dec. 9, 1950 'E T /7 T l N V EN TOR. FXAA/K H warrants/Iva;

jah-KM/ ATTORNEY.

Patented A r. 9, 1935 g1: e 1 997 016; v

UNITED STATES- PATE FF C 1 1,997,016 REMOTE oonraor. crRoUrr CHANGER Frank Richtcrkessing, Louisville, Application December-'9, 1930,, Serial No. 501,071

' 24 Claims. totals-227) My invention relates to circuit changers for Most cars are equipped with heaters U, lights A. track switches, automatically operated from a and air'compressors F which are connected bee trolley car. tween the trolley pole. and the ground G; -The' One object of my invention is to utilize the cars are also equipped with operating motors 5 application of power on or power off tothe and a controller N for regulating the flow of. 5 motors of the car for-selecting the position of the current thereto, which is'directly under the ,conswitch tongue, the system as hereinafter detrol of the car operator. When the controlleris scribed. closed, current will flow through the motors M,

Another object of my invention is to provide a; and this position I will term as power on,and

system in which the possibility of current flowing when the controller is open, no current will flow 10 through both track switch solenoids simultane through the motors, and this position I will term ously is eliminated. power off. The controller N does not in any Another object'o'f my invention is to provide a way afiect the current flowing through the apsystem' in which a power off switch operation is paratus U, A or F which Iwill hereinafter refer l5 prevented after the systemhas been initially opto as'the auxiliary car current. I have arranged erated with power on or vice versa. the system herein described. so that the track;

A still further object of my inventionis to pro switch will be operated to the straight ahead vide a system,which will avoid. the breaking of position when the current collector W engages any currents by the current collector or trolley the trolley conductor D with power off, andthe wheel which may be of sufli'cient magnitude to track switch will be operated to the curve posi- 20 cause a destructive arc. tion when the current collector engages the sysf A still further object' of'my invention is."to'protem using power on. This operation of the trackvide a system, in which a definite time interval switch, however, may be reversed by merely trans+, is established for switch operation independent posing the connections of the track switch oper-,= 7

the position of the currentcollector after the ating solenoids, as is very evident to those skilled 5 current collector has engaged the trolley coninthe art. tactor. In the system shown in Fig. 2, the letter T Another feature of my invention is to provide 9, represents a trolley wire or current conductor. safe control system embodying relays and cir Positioned adjacent the trolley conductor isqa cuits of much slmplier nature than heretofore pan-or .trolley contactor-D provided with two 30;

employed in v combination with electric track laterally disposed contact members E and C which" switch operation. This feature is highly desirare usually parallel and normally insulated from able for protection and service. each other and the trolley wire T. The 6011-.

My invention resides in the new and novel tact member E is electrically connected tothe.

combination, construction and relation of the trolley conductor T at a times u e e be fc 35 various electrically operated switches, circuits s n m lly insulated therefrom, but is and other parts hereinafter more fully described trically Connected thereto When the cto W' and disclosed in the drawing accompanying my engages the pan or trolley contactor D. The specification, in which- 7 contact members E and Care so related tothe 40 Figure 1 is a schematic drawingshowing the trolley conductor T that when the current col- 40 general arrangement of circuits and parts usually lecto e ages th Contact members it Will p found in an electrically operated car and which cut of engagement wi the trolley c ductor T are taken into account in the operation of myinand remain so until the current collector is about" vention. e to pass out of contact engagement with the pan Figure 2 is a schematic drawing showing the or trolley contactor D.) Such an arrangement of: 45

arrangement of parts and circuits when the syscontact members and current conductoris. well: tem is in a normal condition. 1 Under such cirknown to those skilled in .the art. 1 1 cumstances, however, the switch tongue may be I also employ an el c lly Operated t a shown in either of its operable positions. switch S provided with two solenoids TM and 50. My invention is intended primarily for use 'IMl eachv having a common connectionto the:

with those cars which are operated by meansof ground (3' through the common conductor. l9; an overhead trolley wheel or current collector W The solenoids are provided with a reciprocating mounted on a car by means of a trolley pole V, plunger K which is drawn inwardly when the although it may be operated by cars in which solenoid TM is energized and is drawn outwardly current is supplied thereto by other methods. whenthe solenoid TM! is energized. The plunger-55.:

K is connected to the switch tongue-- O by means r of the connecting link J.

7 ferred to, although a moving plunger may be substituted for the magnet score and armature, and

V is well lgnown to those skilled in the art, One 7 terminal of the operating coil KL is connectedto contact-4 of relay Y which is connected through c i also provided with a normally disengaged front contact 5, which is connected throughwire 1 to 7 the trolley conductor T, through wire TI, and; the other coil terminal is connected to the con tact member E of trolley contaetor D through wire El. The switch arm KLA is normally in its 'free state, that is, not influenced by any magnetic flux, and rests against thenormally'ciosod hack wire 6, to the track switch operating solenoid 'I'Mlfi The armature KLA isconnected through wire 3 to theearmature PA of relay Relay Y is the track switchoperating solenoid TM;

coil *KL of relay Y, the armature-KLAiwiildiss .1 engage the normally engaged back contaetland come. into contactengagement with the normally i The copper slug TB employedontherelay Z is o arranged. as to produce r ta ded re oasetim disengaged frontcontact 5. .1 U Ialsoemploy an electrically operatedrelay'x which, is initially" operated by the current "eolv. lector W engaging the contact member Cot-the: trolley contactor D. i The relay X -.is provided" with a main operating coil P ofirelatiyeiy resistance, and a. holdingrc'oil H'of relatively lbw resistance arranged to carry the heavy currents ordinarily employed for' tra'ck switch operationt The relay X is also provided with an armature PA .which is normallyinits 'fi'ee state,thatis;not afiected by anyimagnetic fiuxgand is nomially in contact engagement with 3 its back contact 12,. which is connected tlirough'wire 1H resistance unit R2,swire H] to one coil terminal of the opera.

ating coil B of relay Z. The normally disengaged front contact|3 isconnected through wire- M to the holding coil H- ofrelay X. "The other coil terminal of the coil H is connected through wire l5 to' the normally engaged front contact 16 of relay Z. One coilterminal of the operating 'coil P 'is'connected to the armature BA of relay X tween their respective armatures PA and Inasmuch as the armature KLA of relayY' is affected in advance of the operation of the relay K; through the relative-spacing of the contact members'C and thearrnature KLA will be ineither of its operable positions before the current collector W engages the contact member 6. r As soon as the current collector W'engages the cons tact memberC, the operating coil P will be sum- "ciently energized so as to. affect its armature PA and bring it into contact'engageme'nt' with its normally disengaged front contact 13. Incident to thisroperation "the 'mechanical interlocking latch L will be operated to hold the armature KLA in either of its operable positions'as long'as the current collector W. engages the contact mem-.

ber C and until current has ceased to flow in the switch operating circuit.- The operation of the armature PA of relay X and the interlocking latch L will so look the armature KLA of relay Y oneratinglcoil B, a copper slugw'I'B and an armature BA. The armature BA of relay Z, and the normally engagedffront contact I6 ofrelay Z are opomtadwithin Vamagnetic'mowout which is symbolically represented by the characters MB. The "construction and employment of such magotic. blowout encas m nt to carry and brea he vaourronie is well known to lihQfiQ'iSKill-fid' in the art. One coil terminal of the co i1: B is onnected t the mi re. BAo re ay Z throu wire 8. ne the o er oil e minal of soil B is onnee edio the had: contact of, re a r ere ioeementi ne e, ela Z is .no mally energized, that is, normaliy'a current of suflicient magnitude is. fl wineth ough the relativ yhi osisieeooooil B- to etain the armatu eiliA-i z contes engagement wiflnt ,z ron vcon act. '6;

lement factor for he arma r Beyond-this,

-i iii e ls l known to. h e skill diin the It is also evident that this retardation coi arrangement, oritmaybe b ou ht about by;

the spacing of the armature with respect to the ogre when in the closed p sition,,o1 a. combinaion or these,

- In d vi e herein d soribed anddis osed the 'cpp rsiii plaoedaiio lt the. core thoir ay 9 1 indicated byz he chara ter- 311213 been em ployed in'pr'eference 'to' the other arrangements lncetherearo no movinswis tointerfere or alter the perati n of the timeelementd vic It the c rrent collect r-,w initially ngag she', trollevccn o or- 'w i'i, power off thejoom,

act momhers'lii C will b 'electrically on nected andof' the same as thetrolley w re, s nce he c nta t member E is el ctrically onn ct d mine trolley'conduotor 1T t all, ti e 7 hrough wire 11. oonnectine the tr91leycondoctor '32 and. m llo resistance r lay coil L and wireiEl connecting the the te minal of the operating coil KL and Contact member E of the ro l y oonta tor D. The operating rcoil KLbf elay)? has a ve y lowresistan e, as it usually onsistsoiapproximately ten or twelve turns f #6 conper'wire The re ay Y is. a current selective relay, that is, a very heavy current must throughits. operating coil KL before its armature 034 11 flfiflctfid, Soon as the contact member}; is elec cally connected to the trolley conduot r., thro ehktne manner i st me tioned, current willfiowfram the trolley conductor T, hro gh wire TL onemtingv coil Knot relay Y, wire ELeontact member E of trol ey contact rD, thr nsh'tbe current o llecto W, throushcontact member- Q t h trolley oontac -o lii, wir 01. resista ce uni It; wire 1,, relat vely high resistanooooil P of oy X, wire 2, wire 3, armature KLA of relay Y, back contact 4 of relay Y, wire 6, operating solenoid TMI of track switch S, wire II, wire I9 to the ground G, and the operating coil P of relay X will be sufficiently energized to affect its armature PA in such a manner as to cause it to disengage the normally engaged backcontact I2 and come into engagement with the normally'disengaged front contact I3. Incident to the contact engagement of the armature PA and. the front contact I 3 of relay 'X,'the mechanical interlocking latch L will be affected in such a manner as to engage the armature KLA of relay Y and lock it in contact engagement with the back contact 4 of relay Y. As was described the current for. the operation of relay X was taken through the solenoid 'IMI ofthe track switch mechanism S, but it should be understood that the current in this circuit is always very small, say less than one ampere, and will have no effect on the solenoid TMI that could cause an operation of the track switch, since, a very heavy current is required in this solenoid circuit before switch operation can occur. When the armature PA was brought into contact engagement with the front contact I3 of relay X an immediate flow of current for the energization of the solenoid TMI resulted. This circuit was completedfromthe trolley conductor T, through wire TI, wire 3, armature BA of relay Z, front contact I6 of relay Z, wire I 5, relatively low resistance holding coil H of relay X, wire I4, front contact I3 of relay X, armature PA, wire 3, armature KLA of relay Y,back contact 4 ofrelay Y, wire 6, solenoid TMI of track switch S, wire I'I, wire I9 to the ground G, and the track switch mechanism will operate the track switch to the straight ahead position, as is arranged and described heretofore.

Since the current for the energization of the solenoid TMI was taken through the holding coil H of relay X, the holding coil will be sufiiciently energized so as to retain the armature PA in contact engagement with the front contact I3 and retain the mechanical interlock on the armature KLA as long as current continuesto flow in this circuit. When the armature PA was brought into contact engagement with the front contact I3 vof relay X, it was brought out of contact engagement with the back contact I2, and since the circuit for the energization of the operating coil B of relay Z was completed through this contact engagement, the coil B will become deenergized and effect the releasing of its armature BA. As was previously described the armature BA of relay Z is provided with a retarded releasetime element factor represented by the characters TB, and the armature BA will not immediately disengage the front contact I6. After a predetermined time, however, the armature BA will dis engage the front contact I6 of relay Z and the heavy current flowing through these contacts will be broken within a magnetic blowout arc chute represented by the characters MB, and the circuit completed for the energization of the track switch operating solenoids will be interrupted at this point. If the current collector W continues to remain in contact engagement with the contact members E and C, the operating coil P of relay X will remain energized, as.

previously described, and the armature PA will be held out of contact engagement with the back contact I2 and the mechanical interlock on the armature KLA will be retained. The continued disengagement of. the armature PA and back contact I2 of relay X will retain the operating, circuit of coil-B of relay Z'open and the armature BA of relay Z will likewise remain in the released position until the current collector W disengages the trolley contactor D and'the armature PA reestablishes the operating circuit of relay Z.

If the current collector W initially engages the trolley contactor D with power on a relatively heavy current, as employed for the propulsion of the car, will be taken through the operating coil KL'of relay Y, and the armature KLA will be brought out of contact engagement with the normally engaged back contact 4 of relay Yand into contact engagement with front contact 5 of relay Y. As soon as the current collector advances and comes into contact engagement with the contact member C theirelay X will operate in the same manner as was previously described for the power off position, and the mechanical interlocking latch L will be affected to retain the armature KLA in contact engagement with the front contact 5. The armature PA will be retained in contact engagement with the front contact I3 of relay X in the same manner as'was described for the power off position, and the relay Z will function in the same manner after a predetermined time to interrupt the current flowing to the track switch mechanism S. The circuit forthe energizatio'nof the curve switch mperating solenoid TM was completed from the current conductor T, through wire TI, wire 8, armature BA of relay Z, front contact I6 of relay Z, wire I5, holding coil H of relay X, wire I4, front contact I3 of relay X, armature PA,

wire 3, armature KLA of relay Y, front contact 5 of relay Y, wire 1, solenoid TM of track switch S, wire I8, wire I9 to the ground G.

To sum up the operation of the system, if the car operator desires to go straight ahead, the car controller is moved to the power off position with the intention of coasting past the trolley contactor D. As soon as the current collector W engages the trolley contactor D the relay control'will be affected in a manner as previously described and the track switch will operate to the straight ahead position.

curve position he will move his controller to the power on position with the intention of passing the trolley contactorusing power. When the current collector W engages'the trolley contactor D with power. on, the relay control will be affected in such a manner as to operate the track switch mechanism to the curve? position.

There are, .of course, modifications and arrangements of the parts which may be. made from that shown in the above disclosure and which may still fall within the scope of my in- 'vention.

I claim- 1. In a switch operating system, the combina tion of an electrically operated track switch, a trolley contactor to be engaged by a current col- Should the car operator desireto take the lector, an actuating solenoid, a relay operable to selectively direct currents through different parts of the said actuating solenoid, a second normally flowing to the said switch solenoid, and a third- 7 relay operable to close the said switch operating 1 circuit and effect the deenergization of the said second relay, and a means affected by the said third relay to retain the selection of the first said relay as long as operating current is fiowing to the said solenoid andas long as the cur-" rent collector engages the said contactor.

'2.In an electric switch operating device, in combination'with a track solenoid,.trolley conductor and trolley contactor to be .engaged by a current collector, a normally open switch op erating circuit connectingthe trolley conductor and track solenoid, meansresponsive to the engagement of the current collectorwiththe trolley contactorfor closing the said circuit, a normally energized relay controlling a, normally closed switch provided with a time element release, said.

switch. included in; the said normally" open 'c'ir cuit to permit energization of the said track solenoid for a'predetermined time and means respone sive to the engagement of the. current collector with the trolley contactor to de-energizethe saidrelay prior to the operation of .the first named means to close the said circuit. o 1

3. Inga switch operatingv system, the combination of an electrically operated track'switch, a

I branched operating circuit, a circuit changer for the said operating circuit provided with a positioning coil and means for retaining it in each of its operative positions, a'normally energized relay'controlling the said operating circuit, electrically operated means'provided with a pick up coil and a holding coil so arranged as to open the circuit of the normally energized relay controlling the said operating circuit and to place the said holding coil in circuit .with the said operating circuit. Y s

4. In a relay, system, comprising an electrically operated switch adapted to be moved to either of two'positions, and a second electrically operated switch adapted topontrol alno rmally closed circuit including t1 e first said switch, mechanical means aifected by the said second switch'for retaining the position of thefirst said switch.

5. In a switch operating system, the combination of atrolley contactor and a current conduc tor, an electrically. operated track switch, controlmeans electrically connected to the conductor and.

trolley contactcr and'having other circuits leading to the said contactor and track switch for positioning the track switch in either of two directions when the trolley contactor is engaged with power on or power off, a normally. closed switch to control the current to the track switch interposed in one of the circuits leading 'tothe said control means, and means to open the said normally closed switch to interrupt the current" to direct currentv to'the said track switch and retain the said control means in either of its oper able positions long ascurrent is flowing to the track switch and as long as the current collector continues to engage the said contactor.

6. In a switch operating system, the combination of a troliey'contactor and a current conduc tor, and an electrically operated track switch, an

electrically operated control means connected to the contactor and current conductor having other 1 circuits leading to the contactor and track switch to operatetheswitch in either of two directions when the contactor is engagedwith power on or power oil; anormally closed switch in one of;

the said means to close the said circuit when the contactor is engaged by thecurrent collector, and mechanical means affected by the said means for retaining ,the selection of the said control means as long I as current is flowing to a track switch.

and as long as the currentcollector continues to engage .the said contactor.

.7. In a switch operating, system, the combination of a trolley contactor and a current conductor, and an electrically operated track switch, an electrically-operated control means connected to the contactor and current conductor having other to operate the switch in either of two directions when the contactoris engaged with power on" or.

power off", a normally closed switch in one of the circuits leading from'the control means to open.

the said circuit a predetermined time after the collectorhas-engaged the contactor, and means trically operated switch having a coil arranged to be placed in series with the said circuit and being so arranged as to .normallyma'intain the circuit open, and'a second coil associated with the saidmeans to close the said circuit when the contactor is engaged by the current collector,

said means also operable to retain the said electrically operated control means in either of its 1 two operable positions while current is flowing to the track switch'and as long as the current collector continues to engage the said contactor.

8. In a switch operating system in combination with a trolley'co'ntactor, current conductor, an electrically operated switch movable to different positions, and an electrically operated switch to control the operation of thefirst said switch, circuits connecting the various parts to operate the first said switch to its proper position when the contactorls initially engaged by the current collector with power on or power oil, one of the said circuits being a normally closed path from the conductor to the said second switch, means to open the said path after the collector engages the trolley contactor and means to maintain theswitch operating current to the system for apredetermined time regardless of the position'of the current collector; after engagement with the contactor, and means affected by the'first said meansto retain the said second switch in either of its operable positionsas long as the switch operating current is'flowing in the system and as long as the current collector engages the said contactor.

9. In a relay system of the class described, the combination comprising an electrically operated switch arm KLA' adapted to be moved to either of two positions, and a s'econdelect-ricallyopincluding the first said switch arm, and mechanical means'affected by the said second switch arm for retaining t heposition-of the first said switch only when the said second switch is operated toclose the said circuit; 7

10. In a relay system of the class described, the combination comprising an electrically operated switch arm- KLA adapted to be moved toeither of twopositions, and a second electria circuit including the first said switch arn. and a means affected by the said second switch.

arm for retaining the first said switch arm in either of its operable positions only when the said second switch is operated to close the said second circuit. I

11. In a track switchoperatlng system of the callyoperated switch arm PA adapted to "close,

circuits leading to the contactor arid track switch erated switch arm PA adapted'to closea circuit class described, the combination comprising a trolley contactor D, a current conductor T, a switch operating device S, an electrically operated switch KLA movable to different positions, and an electrically operated switch PA, means for operating the switch KLA'toits proper position when the contactor' contact member E is initially engaged by the current collector W with power on or power ofifl'a normally closed circuit connecting the conductor T, including the operating coil of a time element relay switch and a normally closed contact of switch PA, electromagnetic means to operate the switch PA for opening the said circuit when the collector W engages the contactor contact member C to ,deenergize the said operatingcoil, and means affected thereby permitting operating current to flowin the said switch operating device S for a predetermined time regardless ofthe position of the current collector. W-;,after engagement with the contactor contact member C, and additional means actuated bythe, operation of the said electro-magnetic means to retain. the switch KLA in either of itspositions as long as the switch operating; current: is flowing in the system and as long as the current collector engages the contactor contact memberp, I

12. In a switch operating system the combination of an electrically operated track switch, a trolley contactor to be engaged by .a current collector, an actuating solenoid, a normally open switch operating circuit including the said solenoid a relayv operable to selectively direct current in the saidoperating circuit through different parts of the said actuating, solenoid, a second. normally energized relay provided with a retarded release time elementswitch included in the said operating circuit for controlling the current flowing to the said switch; solenoid, and a third relay operable. to close the said normally open switch operatingcircuit and "effect the de energization of the said second relay and means for establishing the first relay circuit before establishing the third relay 'circuit.

13. An arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the first and third' relays are arranged in series between the trolley-conductor and ground through the current collector and trolley contactor, and wherein the resistance of this series circuit is of. such valuethat the'flow of current through both relay'coils will be only enough to actuate one of them. 1

the first and third relays are connected in series from the trolley conductor through the first relay, through the trolley 'contact'or' and current collector, and through the said third relay to ground, and means whereby the current flowing from the trolley conductor through the car motors to the ground flows through the first relay.

15. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated track switch, a branched operating circuit, a circuit changer for the said operating circuit provided with a positioning coil, a normally energized relay controlling the said operating circuit, electrically operated means provided with a pick up coil and a holding coil so arranged as to open the circuit of the normally energized relay controlling the said operating circuit and to place the said holding coil in circuit with'the said operating circuit and means for energizing the said positioning coil before energizing the said pick up coil.

16. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated track switch, a curdirect currents through different parts of the said actuating solenoid, asecond normally energized relay provided with a retardedrelease time ele-' ment factor, .for controlling the current flowing to the said switch solenoid, and a third relay 'op-.

erable to close the saidswitch operating circuit and effect the deenergization of the said second relay, wherein the first and third relays are connected in series from the, current conductor through the first relay, through the long contact element, the current collector, the short contact element and third relay to ground and whereby the currentfiowing from the current collector through the car motors to the ground fiows through the long element and first relay before the current collector contacts with theshort ele.

ment.

17. In a switch operating system, thecombination of a contact pan and trolley wire, an electrically operated track switch, control means electrically connected to the trolley wire and pan track switch for positioning the track switch in either of two directions when the pan is engaged by a current collector with power on or power oif a normally closed switch to control the current to the track switch and interposedin one of the circuits leading to the control means, and means to open the normally closed. switch tointerrupt the current to the track switch after a predetermined lapse of time after the collector has engaged the pan and regardless of whether the collector continues to engage the'pan or not, and means operating automatically upon engagement of the current collector with the pan to insure current to the track switch for the said; predetermined, time, andmechanical means operat-v ing automatically when currentzis directed to the said track switch to insure the positioning of the track switch in accordance'with the initial engagement of the current collector with the pan with power on orpower off. h 1

18. In a switch operating system, the combination of a contact pan and trolley wire, an electrically operated track switch, electrically operated control means connected'to the panand trolley wire and having other circuits leading to the pan and track switch to operate the switch in either oftwo directions when the pan is engaged by a current collector with power on;or. power off, a normally closed'switch in one of the circuits leading from the control means for opening the circuit after a predetermined time after the collector has engaged the. pan,' rneans to insure current to the track switch for the said predetermined time comprising an electrically operated'switch having a coil in series with one of the circuits from the control means and being arranged to normally maintain an open circuit affected by the said electrically. operated switch for retaining the selection of the control means as current flows to the trackswitch and as long 7 to one contact member and the trolley wire,- ona selector switch having control means connected cuits'leading from the selector'switch to the track switch, a circuit of relatively high resistance leading from the selector switch and con nected to the other contact member and having included therein a coil, a switch controlled by the 7 said coil and adapted to close a circuit from the trolley wire, the said circuit including a second to the track switch for said predetermined time regardless of the position 'olthe collectoraiter' it has initially engaged the pan, and mechanical means aifected by the said switch for retaining the selector switch in its actuated position as long as the current collector engages the pan. V

20'. In a switch operating system, the combination oi a contact pan to be engaged by a. current collector, a trolley wire connected to said pan, an electrically operated track switch, means 'Ior directing current to the diflerent parts of the said track switchin'accordancewith predetermined conditions, mean s for establishing a current flow to the said track switch, and still other means for maintaining current to the track 'switch for a predetermined length of time after engagement of the collectorwith the pan to'opcrate the switch in the desired direction, and additional means actuated by the said second means for mechanically "locking the 'first said means against operation during the predeter-' 'min'e'd lapse of time.

21; In a switch operating system, the combination' of a'contact pan to beengaged by a current collector, a trolley wire connected to said pan, an electrically operatedtrack switch, means tor directing current to the different parts of the said track switch inaccordance with predetermined conditions, means for establishing a current flow to the, said track switch, and still other means for m'aintaining current to the V track switch for a predetermined length of time alter engagement of the collector with the pan to operate the switch 'in the desired direction,

and additional means actuated by the said second means for mechanically locking the first said ,means' against operation during the predeter- 1 mined lapse of time and as long as the collector continues to engage the pan.

22; In a switch operating system, the combination with an electrically operated track switch, a selectorswitch, a trolley wire and contact pan all connected and arranged to operatepower on and power 05 the system to move the track switch to a' desired position, of means to maintain current to the trackswitch for a predetermined time, and additional means for mechanically locking the selector switch to prevent a change in position or said selector switch during said predetermined lapse of time.--

' 23. In a switch operating system, thefcom bination or a contact pan having two contact members to be engaged by acurrent collector, a source of power, an electrically operated switch to be moved in diflerent directionsdepending upon the collector engaging the panwith "power on or "power 01!, a selector switch controlling a branched circuit from the pan to the said switch and having an operating coll connected to the pan and source of power, an'ele'ctrically operated switch for" connecting the *selector switch direct-to thesource of power after the collector has engagedthe pan, and an electrically operatedtime limit switch normally clos ing said circuit and arranged to remain closed after theinitial engagement. of the collector with the pan and for apredeterrnined time and to.

automatically open" a branch of the aforesaid circuits and to malntains'aid branch openafter said predetermined t me i! the collector still engages the pan and to automatically close after the collector has passed onto! engagement with the pan; and mechanical means affected by 'the said second electrically operated switch for retaining the selection or the said selector switch for the predetermined time and as long as the collector engages the pan. Y

24.'A switch operating system comprising in combination, a, trolley conductor, a pan to be engaged by a current collector, an electrically operated; track switch, a" normally open power circuit to conduct current to the track switch, a

selector switch controlling said circuit to oper-,

ate' the track switchto a desired position when the collector engages the panflwith"power on" r or power oil, anjelectrically operated relay switch to close the-power circuit when the collector engages the pan, a holding coil tor the" said relay switch. and energized by the current in said power circuit to hold the relay switch closed after saidinitial operation, and means for deenergizing the holding cell a predetermined time after the said relay is operated, and additional means affected by the said electrically operated relay switch for mechanically locking the said selector switch to retain the selection of the selector switch for thetsaid predtermined time.

FRANK H. RICH'I'E RKE SSING. 

